Dandruff
is a common chronic scalp condition marked by flaking of the
skin on your scalp. It isn’t contagious or serious, but it
can be embarrassing and sometimes difficult to treat.

The good
news is dandruff usually can be controlled. Mild cases of
dandruff may need nothing more than daily shampooing with a
gentle cleanser. More stubborn cases of dandruff often respond
to medicated shampoos.

LIFESTYLE
AND HOME REMEDIES

In
addition to regular shampooing, you can take steps to reduce
your risk of developing dandruff:

—
Learn to manage stress. Stress affects your overall health,
making you susceptible to a number of conditions and diseases.
It can even help trigger dandruff or worsen existing symptoms.

—
Shampoo often. If you tend to have an oily scalp, daily
shampooing may help prevent dandruff.

— Get
a little sun. Sunlight may be good for dandruff. But because
exposure to ultraviolet light damages your skin and increases
your risk of skin cancer, don’t sunbathe. Instead, just
spend a little time outdoors. And be sure to wear sunscreen on
your face and body.

—
Alternative medicine. Small studies have found that tea tree
oil can reduce dandruff, but more study is needed. Tea tree
oil, which comes from the leaves of the Australian tea tree (Melaleuca
alternifolia), has been used for centuries as an antiseptic,
antibiotic and antifungal agent. It’s now included in a
number of shampoos found in natural foods stores. The oil may
cause allergic reactions in some people.

When
regular shampoos fail, dandruff shampoos you can buy at a
drugstore may succeed. But dandruff shampoos aren’t all
alike, and you may need to experiment until you find one that
works for you.

If you
develop itching, stinging, redness or burning from any
product, stop using it. If you develop an allergic reaction
— such as a rash, hives or difficulty breathing — seek
immediate medical attention.

Dandruff
shampoos are classified according to the medication they
contain:

—
Pyrithione zinc shampoos (such as Head & Shoulders, Jason
Dandruff Relief 2 in 1). These contain the antibacterial and
antifungal agent zinc pyrithione. This type of shampoo can
reduce the fungus on your scalp that can cause dandruff and
seborrheic dermatitis.

—
Tar-based shampoos (such as Neutrogena T/Gel). Coal tar, a
byproduct of the coal manufacturing process, helps conditions
such as dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis and psoriasis. It
slows how quickly skin cells on your scalp die and flake off.
If you have light-colored hair, this type of shampoo may cause
discoloration.

—
Shampoos containing salicylic acid (such as Neutrogena T/Sal).
These "scalp scrubs" help eliminate scale, but they
may leave your scalp dry, leading to more flaking. Using a
conditioner after shampooing can help relieve dryness.

—
Selenium sulfide shampoos (such as Selsun Blue). These
shampoos slow your skin cells from dying and may also reduce
malassezia. Because they can discolor blond, gray or
chemically colored hair, be sure to use them only as directed,
and rinse well after shampooing.

—
Ketoconazole shampoos (such as Nizoral). Ketoconazole is a
broad-spectrum antifungal agent that may work when other
shampoos fail. It’s available over-the-counter as well as by
prescription.

Try
using one of these shampoos daily or every other day until
your dandruff is controlled; then cut back to two or three
times a week, as needed. If one type of shampoo works for a
time and then seems to lose its effectiveness, try alternating
between two types of dandruff shampoos. Read and follow the
directions on each bottle of shampoo you try. Some need to be
left on for a few minutes, while others should be immediately
rinsed off.

If you’ve
shampooed faithfully for several weeks and there’s still a
dusting of dandruff on your shoulders, talk to your doctor or
dermatologist. You may need a prescription-strength shampoo or
treatment with a steroid lotion.